Women's Lacrosse Adds Monahan, Wolford as Assistant Coaches

CINCINNATI - Xavier University women's lacrosse head coach Meg Decker announced the hirings of Amanda Monahan and Margaret Wolford as assistant coaches ahead of the program's third season.

Monahan joins the Musketeers from Furman University where she served as an assistant to current Xavier Associate Head Coach Kirkland Lewis for one season. In her first season as a collegiate coach, Monahan helped lead the Paladins to a 6-2 record in the Big South. She worked primarily with goalkeepers while assisting with defense.

"Amanda has the passion and mind for coaching that will immediately impact the student-athletes," said Decker. "She has bright insights in the game, can connect well with student-athletes, and adds depth to the coaching staff by taking on coaching our goalies, a key position on the field. We are excited that to have her join the program and Xavier athletic department community!"

The Marblehead, Mass. Native graduated from Davidson College with a degree in communications in 2023 after a four-year career as the Wildcats' goalkeeper. She totaled 34 victories and finished with 452 career saves that landed her fourth all-time in the record books.

In her senior season, Monahan was a USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Honorable Mention All-American and ranked 42nd nationally in both saves and save percentage. She tied the school record for wins by a goalkeeper in a season with 12 in her junior campaign and collected three Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week honors in her sophomore season.

Wolford comes to Xavier with 10 years of college coaching experience, most recently with Kent State as an assistant coach for the 2024 season. Wolford has also been a Head Girls Lacrosse Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Lucky Lax Lacrosse Club in Columbus, Ohio since 2013.

"Margaret has significant experience in the lacrosse world," said Decker. "She has worked in multiple divisions, is a former head coach, and has deep roots in the Ohio lacrosse community. Margaret will be taking the lead with our defensive unit, building on our national ranking of 27th in the country caused turnovers per game. She has experience in all areas of the field. We are looking forward to taking the reins defensively while helping connect all position groups on the field. She is a natural connector, a true competitor, and a genuine human being. We are looking forward to having her take the lead on our community outreach off the field and help us grow the reach of our Xavier lacrosse community!"

She began coaching at the collegiate level at Smith College from 2014-16 before serving as an assistant at Saint Francis University for the 2016 season. Wolford then received the head coaching position at Wittenberg University where she led the Tigers for four seasons and had six players earn All-NCAC honors. She then was the assistant coach at Georgetown College, where she also served as the Assistant Director of Admissions for Campus Visits and Events-Athletics Liaison.

Wolford played collegiate lacrosse at Fresno State where she appeared in 54 games from 2010-13. She was named the Offensive MVP in 2010 and excelled in the classroom with MPSF All-Academic team honors in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

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